A letter published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that the number of fall deaths among U.S. adults aged 75 years or older almost tripled from 2000 to 2016. The study analyzed nationally representative vital statistics data and found...
News: Data and Reports
Study: Local Zoning Rules Block Multi-Family Housing in MA
Over the past 15 years, despite many changes in local zoning, it remains difficult if not impossible to build multi-family housing in cities and towns across Metro Boston, according to a detailed study on development released this week. Due to a combination of local...
Access to Amenities Impacts Social Isolation and Sense of Community
Americans who live in closer proximity to community parks, libraries, restaurants, and theaters are more content with their neighborhood, more trusting of others, and less lonely regardless of whether they live in large cities, suburbs, or small cities or towns. This...
‘Faces of MassHealth’ Report Reveals Stats on Diversity and Age of Enrollees
More than 1 in 3 adults enrolled in MassHealth are seniors or eligible on the basis of a disability, according to a new report called "Faces of MassHealth: Portrait of a Diverse Population." The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation collaborated with...
‘Changing Faces of Greater Boston’ Report Highlights Increasing Diversity in the Region
A new report provides improved perspective and data on the increasing racial and ethnic diversity of Greater Boston, which is especially important as communities in that region work to create inclusive Age- and Dementia Friendly environments. Changing Faces of Greater...
National Poll on Healthy Aging: Almost Half of Older Adults Think They’ll Develop Dementia
Nearly half of adults ages 50-80 think they are likely to develop dementia sometime in their life, according to a new poll. Nearly 75% of adults reported engaging in some kind of activity to help with dementia — including playing brain games or taking nutritional...
CMS Revises Rating System for Nursing Homes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced major revisions to the Nursing Home Compare website and the Five-Star Quality Rating System. The Medicare Compare tool, which is also available for other providers like physicians and home health...
Framingham Heart Study Will Examine Aging with New $38M Funding
The country’s oldest heart disease study, run by Boston University and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), will research how aging affects the heart and other organs, from the brain to the liver. The Framingham Heart Study (FHS), which has been...
Home Alone Revisited: Family Caregivers Providing Complex Care
AARP's Public Policy Institute announced a follow-up study that builds on the landmark Home Alone study, which was the first national look at how family caregivers are managing medical/nursing tasks, such as managing medications, changing dressings, and other tasks in...
Tips for Advocates of Limited English Proficient Older Adults
A new National Center on Law and Elder Rights "PRACTICE TIP" offers advice to advocates and counselors working with Limited English Proficient (LEP) older adults to better assert their language access rights. Over five million older adults across the country are LEP,...